The much-anticipated MetroWired Legends Golf Day held at the Bryanston Country Club was a huge success.
Golf enthusiasts in the mould of footballers, coaches, soccer officials and prominent businesspeople from various sectors, graced the event, while SABC as the media partner broadcast events from the venue.
President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Dr Danny Jordaan, teed off the spectacle.
“The 96 Legends Golf Day is one of the many celebratory events that will be held around the country as part of honouring our 1996 heroes who lifted South Africa’s only Africa Cup of Nations title. This was planned about a year ago to mark the 25th year of winning the trophy, but due to covid we were unable to celebrate this last year,” said Dr Jordaan.
“We are really delighted that the day has finally come and we are able to celebrate this important milestone. It is also great to see all the 96 Legends present here and many former players being part of this auspicious event. It is also interesting to note that the legends have done this themselves and as SAFA we are fully behind this iniative. A big thank you to MetroWired for embracing this event, a clear indication that without sponsorship we can go nowhere in sport.”
The Bafana Bafana legends, captained by Neil Tovey, lifted the trophy as the legends amassed 958 points, while the MetroWired team, led by CEO Musa Nkosi, could only get to 924.
Some of the players included Mark Fish, Edward “Magents” Motale, Andre Arendse, Mark Williams and Lucas Radebe.
“Winning this inaugural trophy is a bonus after months of preparations for this event. What warms my heart and brings me close to tears is seeing this wonderful initiative come to fruition. For so long we have wanted to see this taking off, and finally we have done it. I am greatly pleased to see the many players gathered here to celebrate this day with us. It is such events that bring us together and to reminisce about yesteryears. It was an awesome day when we lifted the 1996 trophy, and I can tell you without any reservations that it was to have so many people join us today brings memories of that day. Our greatest gratitude goes to MetroWired as we would not have pulled it off without them,” said Tovey.
The field also had a mix of different generations of Bafana Bafana players like Marks Maponyane, Jimmy Tau, Aaron Mokoena, Brian Baloyi and Fabian McCarthy; coaches, Dylan Kerr (Swallows FC) and Gavin Hunt, while Chief Operations Officer Lydia Monyepao represented the football headquarters on the course. Also gracing the occasion was the President of the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) as well as Neil Tovey’s brother, Mark, who is a former Kaizer Chiefs stalwart.
“When we were approached to be part of this event, it was a no-brainer for us to come on board. Afterall this is a celebration of one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, achievements on the South African football calendar and we are delighted to be here and enjoy day with our legends. Thanks to this magnificent group for allowing to partner with us,” said Musa Nkosi, CEO of Metrowired.
On the sidelines of the golf day, midfielder Doctor Khumalo conducted football coaching clinics, assisted by former Bafana Bafana players MacBeth Sibaya and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
The event took place at the nearby St Stithians College, attended by boys and girls who are in the first teams from the institution and others from the some from the Shoes Of Wisdom Foundation based in Johannesburg CBD..
While the clinics are aimed at helping the school prepare for the upcoming Easter Festival, they also offer a chance for all the young ones to learn from their experienced hero who shared his skills and knowledge.
At the end of the day’s play, the participants gathered for a viewing session of the international friendly match between Bafana Bafana and France, which the South Africans sadly lost 5-0 in Lille, France.
Despite that, after the day’s play there was still time for the golfers to unwind, sit back and be rewarded for their efforts on the course.
LIST OF WINNERS:
Winning Team:
Team Bafana Legends 958 points
Team Metrowired 924 points
Nearest to Pin:
Hole 9 – Vezi Nxumalo
Hole 14 – Peace Mokiti
Longest Drive:
Hole 2 – Freddy Greaver
Hole 17 – Daniel Falloner
Alliance – Four Ball:
1. Jay Pillay, Krish Pillay, Kuben Moodley (Pivot) 87 points
2. Musa Nkosi, Mandla Mlangeni, Daniel Shongange, Neil Tovey 86 points
3. Mark Fish, Kevin Horne, Bra Philly, Wayne Hein 86 points
Betterball:
1. Rowen Chetty and Menesh Keshav 49 points
2. Jay Pillay and Kris Pillay 46 points
3. Skhumbuzo Maphumulo and Vusi Sithole 45 points
SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.
